Our Family Has Fallen

”Please speak, Priest.” Boslake remained quite humble, even if the Deerhead Tribe had already dissolved, the gratitude accumulated over the years was not yet repaid.

And now, all the gratitude was focused on Grendel, the only remaining Deer Head Priest.

”I’m tired... Don’t tell others you’ve seen me, I don’t want anyone to disturb me.”

Boslake understood these words and nodded in agreement, ”I understand, no one else will know about our meeting today.”

Only after receiving a response did Grendel continue with the next topic.

”Your casualties are heavy, if you want to go back to expose the Fang Tribe, you’ll need enough evidence for those tribes who hired you to admit it.”

Saying this, Grendel raised her hand and pointed to the convoy retreating in the distance, ”You hunted a wealthy Imperial Nobility group, but during the chase, you unexpectedly discovered the Bastia Secret Forces. Then the convoy was wiped out by the Earl’s forces, and only a few of you escaped, do you understand?”

Hearing this, Boslake fell into silence, frowning as if pondering whether to do this.

For a barbarian warrior, they value the glory of killing enemies, but claiming false achievements is disgraceful...

Grendel seemed to see through his hesitation and quickly added another remark.

”Prisoners and all are just a show, merely for the Earl to use Hamlet to cover the secret forces, and nothing is more important than making the Fang Tribe disappear.”

Indeed, upon hearing these words, Boslake’s whole demeanor changed, nodding silently.

He obviously agreed with her words; the Fang Tribe must die!

After the matter was settled, Grendel did not demand anything further from him but instead asked a rather strange question.

”Did those major tribes promise you anything?”

Boslake was somewhat surprised that the Priest saw through it, so he immediately confessed everything.

”They promised me that as long as we raided enough supplies, they would provide sanctuary for everyone through the winter.”

”You should understand that we’ve already lost the tribe; those major tribes won’t truly accept you. They’ll only assign you the most dangerous tasks, just like now, waiting for you to die.

Whether it’s the Mountains or Bastia, we no longer have a place to stand. After notifying them, don’t get involved in the conflict between the Mountains and Bastia.

Your task is to take everyone down to Hamlet for the winter; this is our home.”

Boslake didn’t respond; he knew well enough, but he also had concerns about leading everyone into the Empire...

”Do you want them to freeze and starve to death? Or do you think I’m trying to harm you?” Grendel’s tone instantly became oppressive, an unprecedented display of strength several times today.

”How could the Priest harm us? You saved my life.” Boslake, a man in his thirties, was completely subordinate when facing Grendel, not daring to oppose her.

It seemed that no matter how gentle Grendel usually appeared, she was indeed a true tribal Priest, and nobody surviving the harsh environment of the Mountains was simple.

The silent background character, Lance, finally spoke.

”Don’t be nervous. The world is vast; Bastia’s opposition to the Mountains doesn’t represent the Empire. This is Hamlet, where you have no enemies.

What Miss Dai’er said is what I say. Regardless of gender or age, everyone will be sheltered. In Hamlet, there is enough food, warm housing, and a safe environment. Winter will no longer take your lives.”

No matter how much Grendel said, she was ultimately not the Lord, so Lance had to step up and support her words.

To tell this barbarian, Grendel had Lance, the Lord of Hamlet, backing her.

Upon receiving Lance’s response, Boslake didn’t shout ”Barbarians will never be slaves” but silently nodded.

He actually understood that those major tribes weren’t trustworthy. Under survival pressure, any little hope is precious.

”Follow this old road, and you’ll reach Hamlet. I’ll be waiting for you there.” Grendel pointed a finger, showing the retreating convoy and troops, only a glimpse of their tails visible.

”But if those Elders ask me why the Warwolf died, what should I say?”

Grendel seemed to sense his doubt and spoke solemnly, ”Stop guessing; the Warwolf was killed personally by the Lord. I was right beside at the time.”

Boslake was deeply shocked as he looked at Grendel’s furrowed brow and nodded hesitantly, glancing sideways at Lance.

Lance knew what he wanted, promptly taking out the Warwolf’s inherited wolf fang necklace.

”This artifact couldn’t possibly be fake, right?”

”I understand.” Boslake didn’t dare to say more, only nodding in agreement.

”If they ask, just say this sentence: The Warwolf is dead, so Fang Tribe and the Earl won’t join forces.”

After receiving Grendel’s advice, Boslake plunged back into the wilderness and disappeared.

While Lance and the others turned and returned, all the corpses left on the battlefield were sacrificed, then followed the retreating forces back to Hamlet...

On the road, Lance briefly reviewed the situation of the battle.

Previously, Lance and others learned more information from the surviving driver, understanding that there was a mysterious barbarian group behind the convoy.